Body of murdered priest's husband found at beauty spot

A priest at a Leeds church was found murdered at her home hours before police discovered the body of her husband at a North Yorkshire beauty spot.

The body of the Rev Susan Lancaster, 67, known locally as Louise, was found last night at her semi-detached property in Talbot Avenue in Roundhay.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police went to the property after their counterparts in North Yorkshire were contacted by a man, understood to be her husband Roy Lancaster, 54, saying he had killed his wife.

The call also raised concerns for the welfare of Mr Lancaster and after a hunt by both forces he was found at 2.30am today at the foot of Malham Cove, a natural limestone formation in North Yorkshire.

Mrs Lancaster is understood to be involved with the nearby St Edmund’s Church in Roundhay, whose website lists her as an ‘associate priest’.

Police say they are not treating Mr Lancaster’s death as suspicious and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Dunkerley, from West Yorkshire Police Protective Services (Crime), said: “Our enquiries are still at an early stage but we are treating the woman’s death as murder.

“We are not yet in a position to confirm the identities of those involved. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”